BOS Photo Albums
Photo albums submitted by BOS members are below. These albums feature BOS field trips, events, and special bird sightings that our members have seen. We hope you enjoy them! (BOS Members: you'll need to LOGIN, then find the link on your member homepage to add your photos.)
BOS birds Puerto Rico - March 2024
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Alec Humann arranged two back-to-back birding tours of Puerto Rico for March 2024. Both groups were delighted to see all 19 species endemic to the Island of Puerto Rico as well as many specialties of the Greater Antilles! Our local guide, Julito Salgado, was truly exceptional! Julito was fun, full of energy and a phenomenal birder as well as entertaining us with occasional dance moves! We enjoyed many local foods such as mofungo, tostones, bacalaitos and plenty of fresh seafood! Endemic highlights included the critically endangered Puerto Rican Parrot, Puerto Rican Nightjar, the Lizard-Cuckoo, Tody, Elfin-Woods Warbler and the recently split Puerto Rican Euphonia. Other birds we enjoyed included White-tailed Tropicbird, White-cheeked Pintail, Masked Duck, Yellow-breasted Crake (Tour 2), Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Mangrove Cuckoo, West Indian Whistling-Duck and Julito's personal favorite, the Bananaquit! Our route took us to the coastal town of La Parguera down on the southwest coast, to the state forests of Maricao, Cambalache and Rio Abajo all nestled into the central highlands, to Julito's hometown of Barceloneta, Laguna Cartagena and more. Please enjoy the wealth of beautiful photos taken by our members of this unforgettable trip!
The beautiful White-cheeked Pintail. One farm pond had hundreds of them loafing around with hundreds of Black-necked Stilts!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Sunset
Contributed by: Janis George
Brown Pelican
Contributed by: Janis George
Puerto Rican Parrot
Contributed by: Janis George
Barn Owl Adventure
Contributed by: Janis George
Beach walk
Contributed by: Janis George
Iguana
Contributed by: Janis George
Paradise
Contributed by: Janis George
Tour 1 - Ed Hutton, Lynne Landon and Marilyn Feuerstein enjoying the evening view up above the coastal town of La Parguera where we enjoyed a show from several Puerto Rican Nightjars, Adelaide’s Warblers and Caribbean Elaenia.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
One of the 19 endemics, this Puerto Rican Oriole gave amazing views for Tour 1 at a little community park near La Parguera.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
The Puerto Rican Tody is one of 5 species of todies that inhabit islands of the Greater Antilles. This species is quite common in a variety of habitats across Puerto Rico. They are surprisingly small and because they are green, they blend in very well with the forest leaves!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
For those of you that have travelled with me to Costa Rica, I am sure you will recall the plethora of Tropical Kingbirds, or TKs, in that country. Well, Puerto Rico has the same situation with Gray Kingbirds…they are EVERYWHERE!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Both tours crossed paths with Smooth-billed Anis multiple times. These dinosaur-like birds live in family groups and can be quite endearing when they all cuddle up next to each other. This species has all but disappeared from South Florida where they were once regular and easy to find.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Tour 1 got very nice views of this cute Lesser Antillean Pewee. This bird looks and sounds very different from the rest of the population that is scattered across the smaller islands in the chain and may end up being a future split.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
A master of camouflage, this female Masked Duck was an incredible find by Celeste Morien in Tour 1 using only her binoculars to pick this bird out of the mat of floating vegetation. We ended up finding 5 and days later, Tour 2 delighted in seeing these birds!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Listening to the Puerto Rican Owls call during daylight hours within this stand of giant bamboo was an exciting experience for Tour 1!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Bev, Karen and Lynne enjoying lunch with a view along the walking mall at La Parguera.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Least Sandpipers waiting out the tide on the backside of a mangrove forest on the outskirts of La Parguera.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
A real highlight for both tours were these White-tailed Tropicbirds seen from the north shore of Puerto Rico! Pairs were nesting in the cliffs beneath us and often engaged in synchronized flight displays!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
The view from Merenderos de Guajataca where the tropicbirds fly beneath you!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
With less than 400 birds in the wild, these critically endangered Puerto Rican Parrots were a true blessing to lay eyes upon. Tour 1 enjoyed a flock of 9 at Rio Abajo State Forest! We enjoyed watching the pairs feed on seeds of the introduced Teca tree almost over our heads!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Tour 1 enjoyed stunning views of a male Puerto Rican Emerald that was feeding in a flowering shrub in the early morning sun at a beach near La Parguera.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Bev enjoying espresso with a homemade waffle for breakfast at the Turtle Bay Inn, La Parguera.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Both tours stayed 2 nights at the Hyatt Place, Manati on the north shore. Tour 1 waits to get their rooms assigned before siesta after a wonderful morning of birding!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
The beautiful and arresting flowers of the non-native African Tulip Tree. Several species of endemic Puerto Rican birds enjoyed drinking nectar from these flowers including the oriole, and Green Mango.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
This Loggerhead Kingbird sallied for insects right over Tour 1’s head at Cambalache State Forest. This species may be split in the future and renamed Puerto Rican Kingbird.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
This was the only pair of West Indian Whistling-Ducks that we saw on both tours, in fact only one remained at this farm pond for Tour 2…lucky ducks!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Celeste, Karen and our guide, Julito, hugging this massive Ceiba tree where Tour 1 scored their Saffron Finch!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
The view from our hotel in Isla Verde, just east of Old San Juan. The hotel grounds offered us views of Zenaida Dove, nesting Red-legged Thrush, Puerto Rican Woodpecker and of course, Bananaquits!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
The members of Tour 1 decided to stay an extra day to tour around Old San Juan. The walking tour we signed up for was fantastic and took us past some of the many beautiful sights of the historic city.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Note the bluish color of the cobblestones; that is from iron naturally found in the clay that these bricks were made from. The bricks were crafted in Spain and originally used as ship ballast.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
A lookout from one of the two forts originally built by the Spanish to protect the harbor at Old San Juan.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
I don't recall the story behind this sculpture but I like it!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Definitely a top favorite was the Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo. They had a lot of swagger while going about their business and when they felt the need to talk about it, their vocalizations made us laugh!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Julito was over the moon with excitement when he spotted this roosting Barn Owl in the top of a palm for Tour 2 at Cambalache State Forest. We all sat and watched this bird until dark, about an hour, and reveled as the bird awoke, stretched and eventually flew off for a night of foraging!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Tour 2 dipped on tropicbirds at this location but we did see Humpback Whales from shore! Not a bad consolation prize!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Tour 2 enjoyed several Sandwich Terns at Annie’s Place near Cabo Rojo where we ate lunch one afternoon.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Always fun to see, the Magnificent Frigatebird!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Julito swayed Ben into ordering the lunch-sized portion Kan Kan pork chop.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Sunset from the hillside above La Parguera where we listened to Puerto Rican Nightjars!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
The endemic Puerto Rican Tanager has been placed in its own family, Neospingus. Both groups saw several of these birds while up in the mountains.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Tour 2 was so very lucky that Julito spotted this pair of Puerto Rican Owls roosting in the giant bamboo thickets. We had tried several nights for this bird on Tour 2 without hearing anything!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
A Wilson’s Plover on the backside of the mangroves near La Parguera. Another bird nearby was on a nest!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Laguna Cartagena offered up this view of a Least Bittern for Tour 2.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
We saw multiple Limpkins at Laguna Cartagena as well as Masked Duck, Purple Gallinule, Least Bittern and more!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Tour 2 enjoying celebratory beverages while waiting for fish tacos.
Contributed by: Alec Humann
If you have ever been on a trip with Chris Rockwell, then you know all about her clever momentos she creates for members of the group. Here are the cast from Tour 2!
Contributed by: Alec Humann
Venezuelan Troupial - this bird is extraordinarily beautiful!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
Mangrove Cuckoo - one of my favorites! We were treated to looks at a few of them.
Contributed by: Sue Barth
This pair of Common Ground Doves was a sweet sight.
Contributed by: Sue Barth
The ubiquitous Banaquit - I bet every checklist had at least one on it!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
This Pin-tailed Whydah was a life bird for most of us!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
Caribbean Elaenia - this little guy gave some great views
Contributed by: Sue Barth
A beautiful Adelaide's Warbler - we heard them everywhere so it was great to get a nice look!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
The endemic Puerto Rican Tanager co-found by the dynamic duo, Julito and Alec!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
The gang enjoying the White-tailed Tropicbirds!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
A gnarly Pearly-eyed Thrasher peering out of the brush - what trouble is it getting into?
Contributed by: Sue Barth
A White-tailed Tropicbird - one of my trip favorites
Contributed by: Sue Barth
We had great looks at a couple of endemic Elfin-woods Warbler
Contributed by: Sue Barth
A Green Mango on its nest
Contributed by: Sue Barth
Alec picked out Black Swifts flying high in the sky!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
A Red-legged Thrush with an anole or some other small lizard!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
Several Purple Gallinules were at the marsh location, Laguna Cartenga
Contributed by: Sue Barth
We were so fortunate to see the tiny, secretive Yellow Crake. Only its back-end can be seen here!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
Orange-cheeked Waxbills were super cute!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
The Northern Red Bishops were not in breeding plumage, unfortunately - but were very cooperative.
Contributed by: Sue Barth
Another view of a Northern Red Bishop
Contributed by: Sue Barth
Antillean Crested Hummingbird - a fast beauty!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
The Green-throated Carib, the last life bird for many of us on the trip!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
This Plain Pigeon was, indeed, a rather plain pigeon! But it was a happy addition to many life lists!
Contributed by: Sue Barth
Julito found us a single flowering tree that these Green-throated Carib frequented in the middle of San Juan.
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff
Was that a hummingb.... Bananaquit (sung like the Muppets song Mah-na-mah-na).
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff
This Plain Pigeon wasn't so plain to us. First time on the trip I saw Alec run.
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff
This Northern Red Bishop was one of many non-native birds we encountered.
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff
One of the favorite birds of the trip. This Puerto Rican Tody was ready for it's closeup.
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff
Adelaide's (like Gatorade) Warbler.
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff
These Magnificent Frigatebirds flew like kites along the shoreline. You had to watch for a while to see one flap or move it's body much.
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff
About as good as the view got for Yellow-breasted Crake. This little guy was super secretive and tough to spot. It made for a fun chase.
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff
Nice mohawk dude! Antillian-crested Hummingbird.
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff
The White-tailed Tropicbirds are one of my top birds on the trip. I loved seeing them fly together.
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff
We didn't see many West Indian Whistling-Ducks on the trip. Having a local guide like Julito was key. We found this one on a remote farm pond.
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff
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